Transport Canada has confirmed that Canadian airspace will be closed to all aircraft not equipped with 406-mHz emergency locator transmitters within the next two years.

Transport Canada has affirmed its decision to make 406-MHz emergency locator transmitters mandatory on everything but gliders, balloons, ultralights and a few special-use aircraft. The requirement extends to foreign-registered aircraft and includes those on flights that begin and end in the U.S. but fly over Canadian territory.

Transport Canada and the Canadian military, which handles most search and rescue operations in Canada, say the switch is necessary because search and rescue satellites will stop monitoring the 121.5 MHz frequency used most by existing ELTs on Feb. 1. They point out the reliability and precision of the 406-mHz system, which is proven to make rescues faster and less complicated.